Botanical Name: Carnegiea gigantea
Common Names: Saguaro Cactus
Carnegiea gigantea, commonly known as the Saguaro Cactus, is an iconic columnar cactus native to the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Famous for its towering stature and slow, majestic growth, this species is a symbol of the American Southwest. Young plants begin as solitary columns and may take decades to form arms under ideal outdoor conditions. In cultivation, especially in containers, growth is slow and manageable, making it a striking long-term specimen for bright interiors or protected outdoor spaces. Saguaros feature ribbed blue-green stems with stout spines and are highly drought-adapted. With proper care, they can live for many decades. SELECT FROM TWO SIZES, SHIPPED AS BARE ROOT SPECIMENS, OR PACK OF 100 SEEDS.
Care and Cultivation:
• Suitable for USDA zones 9–11 when grown outdoors; best grown in containers outside these zones
• Bright light to full sun; acclimate gradually
• Well-draining cactus soil is essential
• Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry completely
• Extremely drought-tolerant once established
• Best grown in containers when young
Frost Tolerance and Cold Hardiness:
• More cold-tolerant than many desert cacti when kept dry
• Can tolerate brief exposure to temperatures down to ~20°F (-6°C)
• Must be protected from prolonged frost and winter moisture
Winter Dormancy and Health:
• Growth slows or stops during winter
• Withhold water or water very sparingly
• Resume watering in spring as temperatures warm
Note: This species is protected in the wild. All cultivated specimens are nursery-grown and legally propagated.
Botanical Name: Carnegiea gigantea
Common Names: Saguaro Cactus
Carnegiea gigantea, commonly known as the Saguaro Cactus, is an iconic columnar cactus native to the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Famous for its towering stature and slow, majestic growth, this species is a symbol of the American Southwest. Young plants begin as solitary columns and may take decades to form arms under ideal outdoor conditions. In cultivation, especially in containers, growth is slow and manageable, making it a striking long-term specimen for bright interiors or protected outdoor spaces. Saguaros feature ribbed blue-green stems with stout spines and are highly drought-adapted. With proper care, they can live for many decades. SELECT FROM TWO SIZES, SHIPPED AS BARE ROOT SPECIMENS, OR PACK OF 100 SEEDS.
Care and Cultivation:
• Suitable for USDA zones 9–11 when grown outdoors; best grown in containers outside these zones
• Bright light to full sun; acclimate gradually
• Well-draining cactus soil is essential
• Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry completely
• Extremely drought-tolerant once established
• Best grown in containers when young
Frost Tolerance and Cold Hardiness:
• More cold-tolerant than many desert cacti when kept dry
• Can tolerate brief exposure to temperatures down to ~20°F (-6°C)
• Must be protected from prolonged frost and winter moisture
Winter Dormancy and Health:
• Growth slows or stops during winter
• Withhold water or water very sparingly
• Resume watering in spring as temperatures warm
Note: This species is protected in the wild. All cultivated specimens are nursery-grown and legally propagated.
